Walnut and Chocolate Cake

The walnut and chocolate cake is a classic dessert that combines the crunchiness of walnuts with the intense taste of chocolate. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 150 g shelled walnuts
• 150 g dark chocolate
• 100 g soft butter
• 100 g sugar
• 3 eggs
• 50 g 00 flour
• 1 packet baking powder
• A pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Finely chop the walnuts with a mixer or food processor. If you prefer a more rustic texture, you can chop the walnuts coarsely.
2. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, making sure to stir often to prevent it from burning.
3. In a bowl, cream the soft butter with the sugar until you get a fluffy mixture.
4. Separate the yolks from the whites. Add the yolks to the butter and sugar mixture and mix well.
5. Add the melted chocolate and chopped walnuts to the butter, sugar, and yolk mixture.
6. Gently incorporate the sifted flour with the baking powder and a pinch of salt.
7. Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks and fold them into the mixture, stirring from bottom to top to avoid deflating them.
8. Pour the batter into a previously buttered and floured cake pan.
9. Bake in a static oven at 180 °C for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
10. Let the walnut and chocolate cake cool before unmolding it.

Trivia

The combination of walnuts and chocolate is highly appreciated in many culinary cultures, and finds space in various preparations, from cakes to cookies. Walnuts, besides being tasty, are rich in good fatty acids for the heart, and dark chocolate, if consumed in moderate quantities, provides benefits to the cardiovascular system.

This cake is perfect to be served as a dessert after a meal or accompanied by a glass of passito or vin santo, which balance the richness of the dessert with their natural sweetness and oxidized notes.